BICESTER were unable to hang on to the lead at Southern Counties North league leaders High Wycombe, conceding a late try to go down 23-17.

The visitors led 17-16 with ten minutes remaining, but centre Harry Tanner crossed the try line as Bicester had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Fly-half Tom Miles scored all of Bicester’s points, including two tries that had given his side a six-point lead after half-time.

The bonus point leaves them sixth in the table, level on points with Thatcham in fifth place.

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Wycombe started the brighter and took the lead on ten minutes when Joseph Openshaw slotted over a penalty.

The hosts piled on the pressure and from a driven line-out, lock Peter Partis stretched to touch down and earn Wycombe an 8-0 lead.

Flanker Francois Wiese almost produced a try for Bicester prop Tom Horwood, before Miles’ penalty struck the left upright.

After the break, Bicester turned the match on its head by earning a sixpoint lead thanks to Miles’ exploits.

Wiese and No 8 Dan Spencer drove powerfully up the middle and Miles embarked on a 30-metre run, before converting his own try.

Lock Tim Farrow then set Miles on his way for a second converted try.

Wycombe bounced back eight minutes later, driving off a line-out to put tight-head prop Henry Wyse across in the corner.

The hosts regained their lead courtesy of Openshaw’s boot, but Miles put Bicester back in front with a massive 42-metre penalty.

With ten minutes remaining Bicester were on course for victory over the league leaders, until a high ball down the left flank caught them out.

Wycombe’s Tanner took full advantage by picking up and touching down, with Openshaw adding the extras.

Alchester were convincingly beaten 41-5 by second-placed Royal Wootton Bassett.

They are now five points above bottom side Milton Keynes with three games remaining.

Wallingford were beaten for the second week in succession as they were hammered 44-0 by Stow-on-the-Wold.

The defeat saw Wallingford slip down a place to ninth in the table.